KDs are designed/developed/inspired/mused/auto-suggested/indigested to make folks think; an especially uncommon experience among Democrats, Republicans, and jingoistic mainline denominationalists who continue to discourage dissent with their ever-threatening thought police.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Greetings!

Here's how it
began, "Greetings, O favored one! The Lord is with you; and you will
bear a son and call Him Jesus! He will be great! He will
save...!"

I've presided at
Advent, Christmas Eve, and other seasonal services to talk about that/Him for
over 35 years; and I still don't quite get it/Him all.

I often feel as
clueless as that young 12-16 year old virgin who had to be reminded of God's sovereignty
- "Nothing is impossible for God!" - before getting it/Him.

Writing about
this season's reason, Luther wrote, "The virgin birth was a mere trifle
for God; that God should become a man is a greater miracle!"

Yeah, and
like we understand that/Him totally.

Then comes His
life, crucifixion, resurrection, and...

Anyone who says
she/he gets all of that/Him is as full of, uh, whatever as all of those candidates for the
big house on Pennsylvania Avenue who are trying to convince us that they know
what to do to, uh, save, uh, America and the rest of the world along with
us.

I don't think so.

The message of
Christmas - Jesus!!! -
is simple; and Peterson captures the simple truth that's so far beyond our
comprehension that all we can do is offer thanks in a partially knowing (see 1
Corinthians 13:12-13) burst of wonder, love, and praise: "The sooner
we get the message, the better off we'll be, for the message is good,
incredibly good: God is here, and He's on our side...God is passionate to save
us" (from Eugene's introduction to Mark in The Message).

The sooner we
stop looking for someone other than Jesus to fix things/us, the sooner we'll
get it/Him/Christmas/life/eternity.

Maybe that's why
God's angel first broke the news to that young virgin.

Maybe that's why
Jesus always seemed happiest around children.

Unlike grown-ups
who banter and moan about everything that's gotta be done to make the season
bright - and ever notice how they really never get there except for a few
moments, uh, after the big eve/day; and then they're so busily, busily, busily
off to stress out over the next... - children just get into it/Him and could
care less about, uh, well, uh, you know; and if you don't, that means you're
still caught up in the holly more than holy.

Take a deep
breath.

Stop being so
defensive about ruining the season for yourself by getting caught down in the
preparations more than meaning/experience.

Go to all
services this year; especially the latest one available and let Him work His...

Don't you really,
really, really want to...?

Sure.

Here's some
inspiration.

A man's man in
Virginia who's still got the heart of kid sent this video to me.

Watch it.

Yeah, stop what
you're doing and watch it...and allow Him to...

@#$%

@#$%

Peterson wrote in
Praying with the Early
Christians: "Meditation is a nearly lost art - and not easy to
acquire in a noisy world."

Psalm 1.

Then he prayed,
"God, let me withdraw for a while now from the chatter and gossip of the
world, and let your words sink deeply into my mind and spirit. In the
quietness of these moments, help me to realize the eternal significance of the
birth of Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen."

Selah.

@#$%

Kathie and I and
the whole staff of KD (actually,
uh, we're the whole staff) along with our families and the family of faith at
First Presbyterian Church in Belvidere, Illinois are praying your Christmas and
2012 will be filled with the love, joy, and peace of knowing Jesus in all
seasons.